Trip Report – Nov 2023 – Kyoto / Hakone / Tokyo

Hey! I’d thought I’d do a trip report as I’ve learned so much from others’ reports here. Thank you all so much for the wonderful advice. This is my second time in Japan and looking to check out more next time. I like to take photos so enjoy my first trip report. If you also like photography and cafes as well, come meet up next we travel to Japan as well 🙂

 
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**Day 1 Tokyo**

I landed at Narita airport at 3:30 pm, used Ubigi e-sim for internet, grabbed roundtrip N’EX tickets, grabbed PASMO passport (1500 yen) downstairs, exchanged currency (or you can withdraw it from ATM), got Yamato luggage forwarding to Kyoto (highly recommend this and well worth the 35 dollars), took one stop from Tokyo Station up to Kanda station, and stayed at Comfort Hotel Kanda.

 
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**Day 2 Kyoto**

Took the Shinkansen to Kyoto from Tokyo station in the morning (2.5 hours) and arrived at Kyoto station. There’s a complementary MK Taxi to Hyatt Regency Kyoto. Check-in wasn’t until 3pm so we passed the time with Sanjūsangen-dō next to the hotel (600 yen). Personally, I could suggest to skip this temple.

I checked in at [Hyatt Regency Kyoto](https://i.imgur.com/iA1cwHr.jpg) and the service was welcoming. Its only drawback is that its location is somewhat far away from a lot of places besides Kiyomizu-dera. You need either a taxi or local buses to get around that area.

We took a local bus to Kiyomizu-dera by 4pm. It was absolutely packed both locals and tourists since it was peak autumn season and as we waiting for the [nightfall illumination](https://i.imgur.com/BDaVKnZ.jpg) – also suggested to bring a really warm jacket at night cause I wasn’t prepared.

I didn’t get much of a chance to walk down Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka in-depth but I would definitely recommend if you wake up early morning and have the opportunity for some peaceful morning sights.

 
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**Day 3 Kyoto**

[Took a bus to Fushimi Inari by 7am](https://i.imgur.com/bwlmYXa.jpg). [Some shrine cats.](https://i.imgur.com/rPkK0Ha.jpg) Arrived at 8am and got there before most of the morning rush thankfully. Rained a bit but overall it was fine. Left by 10am and it was completed packed at the opening torii gates.

Took a train to Uji by 11am and explored around the Uji River and walked around the Byodo-In Temple area (again optional if you feel tired).

I got some matcha tea, ice cream and snacks. I also wanted to check out the flagship Nakamura Tokichi Honten store but the waitlist was over 4 hours long by the time I got there. I ended up going to the Kyoto station branch instead – no worries.

Took a train to Nara by 2:00pm and arrived at Nara station. Leave from Bus #2 at the station on the local Nara bus loop. When we got there, the deer were all full in the afternoon from all the tourists during golden hour, so most of them were all chill as you can see. [There’s absolutely very beautiful fall colors at this time.]
(https://www.reddit.com/gallery/18a332p)

After this, you can stop by Todai-Ji in the area – its worth a visit if you aren’t already shrine’d out in Kyoto (600 yen) – the Buddha statue is huge.

I saw some people even give away their rice crackers (200 yen) to kids because the deer were all tired from the food by then, but you can likely find some away from the center. Its best to come in the morning if you want some hungry deer chasing after you .

Took a train back to Kyoto station by 6:30pm. Grabbed dinner and went back and crashed.

 
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**Day 4 Kyoto**

Today was a rest day from all the walking – clocking at 20k+ steps a day. Switched hotels to Hyatt Place Kyoto. My review was that this was a pretty good hotel for the price point and Place brand and it was new opening up in around 2022.

I noticed the English reception wasn’t as fluent as the Regency brand but its not a problem at all. Its main point was its in the central of Kyoto, easy access to konbini, breakfast for 2600 yen, and a subway station is literally 50 steps away to the right. The Imperial Palace is right by it as well.

Took the Karasuma line subway to Nishiki Market by 11pm and it was super crowded. I grabbed a wagyu skewer and octopus skewer but it felt very hectic with shoulder to shoulder people and eating to the side of the street. Again, high volume of people if you’re out after 10am anywhere as a general rule.

Walked to [Nanaya Kyoto Sanjo Shop](https://i.imgur.com/FVflyAD.jpg) for some matcha ice cream (Level 5) and bought their chocolate set. [Visited the Pokemon Center Kyoto](https://i.imgur.com/IoP0WZw.jpg) and Daimaru supermarket.

 
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**Day 5 Kyoto**

[Took the bus to Arashiyama at 7am](https://i.imgur.com/0jBiomF.jpg)… [and arrived at 8am](https://imgur.com/kNoKPnc). I think the rickshaw rides would be worth it like a vip pass if you arrive late haha. [Grabbed a lunch at Arashiyama Rilakkuma Tea House.](https://i.imgur.com/IfnBnxa.jpg) I liked the small stores around there and there’s also a Miffy Café as well. Took a bus and went to Kinkakuji (500 yen) – pretty cool.

 
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**Day 6 Hakone**

Took the Shinkanshen to Hakone. Remember to get your Hakone Digital Freepass for 5000 yen. The service at Hyatt Regency Hakone was good.

There’s a free shuttle from Odawara station to the hotel for guests, and they also offer a free shuttle service around the Gora Park area. The only negative I could say was that everything closes early at around 4-5pm but its what you expect when you’re in the middle of the mountains. Lawson’s saved my life. The public onsen was pretty much private and was relaxing after all the walking done. Honestly, 1-2 nights is fine for this Hakone trip. [Went to Hakone Open Air Museum and rested afterwards.](https://i.imgur.com/M1j6HgF.jpg)

 
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**Day 7 Hakone**

Left the hotel at around 8pm and got on the first batch of people to the ropeway. Grabbed some Black Eggs of Owakudani early in the morning (500 yen). Took the pirate ship ride across Lake Ashi. [Waited in line for Hakone Shrine torii queue.](https://imgur.com/6z83p8e) Went to Amasake Tea House. Rested until the next day. I found the transport system a little stressful, as we got lucky the ropeway was available in the morning, but it was closed in the afternoon coming back because of high winds and we had to resort using local buses coming back.

 
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**Day 8 Tokyo**

Leaving at 11am, Hyatt Regency Hakone provides a shuttle back to Odawara Station so that was convenient. Took the Shinkansen back to Tokyo (2 hours) and arrived around 2pm to check back into Comfort Hotel Kanda. Went back out to [National Art Center Tokyo](https://i.imgur.com/BHGJJKV.jpg) (free admission) and took some shots for all those Kimi no na wa fans. Took the Ginza line down to Shibuya to see the sights. I wanted to go to Shibuya Sky but it was soooo windy and cold on that day, and decided its probably best to save that for a subsequent trip and in the daytime.

 
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**Day 9 Tokyo**

Closing thoughts on this Comfort Hotel. It was pretty decent and had free breakfast, just enough if you’re planning to travel on a budget and splurge for lunch. You can travel high/low cost and mix and match the experience. Last day in Japan and went to go see [TeamLab Planets](https://i.imgur.com/fhhJroK.jpg) before it moves again.
Protip – secure the 9am or 9:30 am slot!!! Important.

Took some architecture photos at [Tokyo International Forum](https://i.imgur.com/Lcgymig.jpg). Stopped by Aoyama for the Meiji Jingu Gaien: [Ginkgo Avenue](https://i.imgur.com/nQWGYN4.jpg) for the autumn leaves to end the day.

 
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**Day 10 Tokyo**

Visited Pokemon Center in Narita Airport Terminal 2. Flight back to LAX at 4pm.

 
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**Cost of Flight**

United to / ANA back (987 usd)

 
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**Cost of Hotels (Chase UR points used)**

Comfort Hotel Kanda ($65/night + complimentary breakfast)

Hyatt Regency Kyoto ($195/night – 23000)

Hyatt Place Kyoto ($76/night – 12000)

Hyatt Regency Hakone ($300/night – 21000)

 
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**Tips and closing thoughts**

– [Here’s my initial Notion document for visual planners.](https://recoilmatt.notion.site/Japan-db0e6343541c4711aefbee7d01bb22b8)

– Good walking shoes!! Also onsen and hot bath salt soaks really help for those walking days. Bring one of those portable massagers too lol.
– Take a rest day in Tokyo before going to Kyoto directly because it’ll be too late by then.
– E-sims are the way to go. Pocket wifi is old tech.
– Take a semi-rest day to recover or go shop and relax!
– Getting lost is part of the journey. Sometimes you discover neat things along the way. I would recommend adding 1.5x to your intended eta.
– Hop off the bus/train if you go the wrong way and the station staff are very helpful. I remember accidentally taking an express train to Fushimi Inari and going past the station.
– Supermarkets have good food and sometimes have discounts later on the night.
– Use luggage forwarding and bring a spare backpack or small carry-on for a day’s worth of clothes.
– Konbinis are your friend.
– You can put extra 10-yen increments coins into your IC card at the machines so you can cut down on heavy coins.
– I would learn how to book shinkanshen tickets ahead of time if you want a back row seat or Mt Fuji seat.
– You won’t get to see everything in one trip so plan for next trip 😊